Alabama Voices (Mary Louise Briers): MPS staff and students are in a tough situation

Mary Louise Briers

For 31 years, I served not only as a classroom teacher but also as a counselor within the school system and throughout the profession as a leader.

I was well aware then (and now) of the limitations that teachers and administrators have on producing college- and career-ready citizens. Some of these limitations are economic conditions that necessitate proration of monetary support for school operations, salaries that do not meet standards for competitive recruitment and retention of educators, failing facilities that do not provide cutting-edge standards of 21st-century learning, dwindling enrollments, discipline and the need to provide more opportunities for early childhood education that will prepare students for K-12 education.

I know the limitations that teachers face every day in order to deliver a quality learning environment for students. That is why I want to emphasize my perspective as a practitioner and as a policymaker.

Let me be clear about what I believe about the teaching and learning processes in the Montgomery Public Schools. Most importantly, I want every child in Montgomery to be taught at the highest standard and to be given an opportunity to learn to the best of his/her God-given ability.

I want every professional educator to be given the opportunity to practice his/her profession to the best of his/her ability. I believe that every instructional leader, whether serving in the school or in the central office, has a responsibility to support and to assist teachers in accomplishing these goals.

I want a school board that will concentrate on the critical needs of a 21st-century school system and develop policies and procedures to ensure the operation of a quality system. Furthermore, I want a school board of integrity that will provide the necessary resources to ensure that schools can operate successfully.

I believe in a strong family-school-community partnership and I want a City Council and a County Commission to support our schools in the areas of funding and resources (human resources, material resources, facilities and time).

I am concerned about the multitude of entities trying to dictate to and operate the Montgomery Public Schools. While it is incumbent upon every citizen to be concerned about the products of its school system since its graduates will assume responsible places within the governance and operation of its city, it is also necessary to implement a management model that will require accountability.

Accountability requires a direct line of authority as well as responsibility. That relationship is legally given to the school system's Board of Education and the contract superintendent. These individuals represent the school system's stakeholders and work cooperatively and collaboratively with the State Board of Education and the state superintendent through the governance of the State Department of Education.

This is the dual line of communication and operation that must be protected for the Montgomery public school system if it is to move forward and meet its potential of service for its stakeholders.

I do believe that in Montgomery County, in some situations and in some schools, some of the necessary ingredients for successful teaching and learning are missing.

First, I believe that instructional leadership should be revisited. Instructional leaders must make the management of teaching and learning a priority. When teachers need support, they should make it readily available. In order to provide a balanced approach to the management of teaching and learning, when teachers need help, they should let the instructional leader know it and should not be afraid to communicate a concern or be threatened by reprisals.

I know the limitations that school systems face and I want to use my leadership to improve the system.

Mary Louise Briers represents District 4 on the Montgomery County Board of Education.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most Popular

Most Commented

More Headlines

Most Viewed

Photo Galleries

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Alabama Voices (Mary Louise Briers): MPS staff and students are in a tough situation

For 31 years, I served not only as a classroom teacher but also as a counselor within the school system and throughout the profession as a leader.

A link to this page will be included in your message.

Real Deals

Flip, shop and save on specials from your favorite retailers in Montgomery, Alabama